Practically everyone would agree that 2023 was massive for video games. What started as a small number of interesting offerings in January kept ramping up more and more until fans were left with colossal months like June and November. These months had so many releases that players either needed to be careful about what they got on big release times likethe week of October 17, or there was so much that everyone had something to look forward to regardless of their own preferences.
With plenty of video games to choose from, though, comes many scores and soundtracks. As many video games are about immersion and keeping players invested as long as possible, the music heard within them is one of the most important parts of the experience. When it comes to the sound of all thenew releases in 2023, it’s been a rather stiff bout of competition as each game offers something impressive.In no particular order, here are the 10 best video game soundtracks and scores from 2023.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
AsThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomserves as the long-awaited sequel toBreath of the Wild, there were many places in which the action-adventure title could not fall short. Naturally, one of these aspects wasTOTK’s sound design and musical score, and in that regard,Zeldaonce again hardly disappoints. Even though most ofTears of the Kingdom’s tracks serve to be background ambiance as playersonce again explore Hyrule, important low-lying yet powerful tracks add to the story’s events, such as the many songs that add weight and color to locations such as Rito Village and the Temple of Time.
The game also excels at having an incredible score to back up important moments, such as the manyboss encounters inTears of the Kingdom, and the climactic highs of Link’s adventure. The musical direction in particular uses a strange reversed vocal effect to add to the themes of time, curses, and displacement throughout the game, which helps its particular sound not only stand out from otherZeldatitles, but other video games in general.
WHERE TO PLAY
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the sequel to the beloved open-world adventure, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This installment once again sees Link and Zelda battling to protect Hyrule from falling to Ganondorf. This new adventure takes place in the same land of Hyrule as Breath of the Wild but sees something called the Upheaval, which allows link to travel to Sky Islands, as well as deep into the Depths beneath Hyrule. Players can use special abilities to fuse together weapons, and build items to help them progress through the release.
Sea of Stars
Sea of Starsaims to pay tribute to the many role-playing games that came before it, and it does so by merging the old with the new, especially in terms of its score. Blending chiptune with real instruments gives the music found in the game a unique mix of old and new that remains nostalgic yet refreshing. This nostalgic feeling adds to the cozy yet expansive vibeSea of Starscarries throughout its first voyage, which makes it incredibly memorable.
To top it off, the soundtrack forSea of Starsis immense, featuring day, night, and pirate-style tracks that give the game a different feeling depending on which players listen to. This even takes songs such as the fighting themes and adds variety to what fans hear, breaking the unfortunate truth that thebattles in the RPG genrewill feature a handful of songs that will grow old before they grow memorable with enough grinding. All in all,Sea of Stars' score delivers the feelings of adventure and a wide open world that covers the indie RPG’s daring scope masterfully.
Set in the same world as 2018’s The Messenger, Sabotage Studio’s Sea of Stars is an RPG that takes inspiration from Japanese classics like Chrono Trigger. Featuring a dynamic turn-based combat system and platforming-based exploration, Sea of Stars is an ambitious and gorgeous addition to the role-playing genre.
Final Fantasy 16
With dark depths that would be expected inGame of Thronespermeating its story,Final Fantasy 16strikes out as a bold new entry to the franchise. While it calls back many series staples, it also bends and breaks them in ways fans might not expect throughout a gritty and hard-hitting narrative that spreads to its music with ease. Even the title screen music ofFinal Fantasy 16alone uses lower tones to deliver onClive Rosfield’s anguishwhile paying tribute to the “Crystal Theme” found in many otherFFgames.
This power remains throughout many moments of the game, especially in important plot-related moments. Particular motifs remain to liftthe cast ofFinal Fantasy 16up and point out their deeper roles throughout the story; a prominent example being the use of “My Star” through Jill’s appearances. Even battle themes, like those against the Eikons, demand the player’s attention through musical might. To top it off, the soundtrack is still not afraid to experiment, with songs such as Typhon’s battle theme adding EDM beats to a fantastical chorus. The sheer depth ofFinal Fantasy 16’s soundtrack certainly helps hold it up as one of the most excitingFFRPGs releases to date.
An epic dark fantasy world where the fate of the land is decided by the mighty Eikons and the Dominants who wield them.This is the tale of Clive Rosfield, a warrior granted the title “First Shield of Rosaria” and sworn to protect his younger brother Joshua, the dominant of the Phoenix. Before long, Clive will be caught up in a great tragedy and swear revenge on the Dark Eikon Ifrit, a mysterious entity that brings calamity in its wake.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
After the rather lengthy wait betweenNew Super Mario Bros. Uand its deluxe version,Super Mario Bros. Wonderdoes not disappoint in many ways, with the music being a prominent factor in the game as a whole.Super Mario Bros. Wonderis one of the best platformers of 2023, and with its entire theme of “wonder” leading to vast creative options in level design, exploration, and platforming, its soundtrack naturally had to do the same. As each level changes with the use of Wonder Flowers, the score ofSuper Mario Bros. Wonderalmost seems endless.
Using a Wonder Flower changes every level, and new music reflects that change. When players use an Elephant Fruit, the soundtrack adjusts to match. The game is also dynamic with what can be expected from its music as well, with levels such asPiranha Plants On Paradechanging and removing parts of the music depending on how many of the titular enemies are on-screen to sing. Even old iconicMariothemes such as the “Underground” and “Athletic” themes are given a new face lift, breathing life into the music that other games didn’t have.
The next evolution of Mario fun: Classic Mario gameplay is turned on its head with Wonder Flowers in the Super Mario Bros. Wonder game! These game-changing items can make some wonderfully weird stuff happen. Witness pipes coming alive, wreak havoc as a giant Spike-Ball, and lots more!Loca: Up to 4 players can tackle courses together, share power-ups, and revive each other. Yoshis can also carry other players on their back to help each other overcome challenging courses!Online: With a Nintendo Switch Online membership**, you can share your adventure with players from all over the world or play online with up to 12 friends in a Friend Room, with 4 players per course. Help each other out or see who can finish first! If you place a standee while you’re playing online, other players can use them to revive!
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
It may be easy to write offStar Wars Jedi: Survivor’s soundtrack as the same sounds fans would expect from a piece of the lengthyStar Warsfranchise, but that’s exactly what makes it special. As the series is known for being accompanied by theincredible works of John Williams, Gordy Haab and Stephen Barton manage to bring that same musical score to the game without stealing the famous movie composer’s personal identity.
This approach to the game’s music is brilliant as it helps plenty ofStar Warsfans feel immersed in the world Respawn Entertainment crafted by helping the game’s planets look and sound like fans are exploring many of the series' movies and shows with ease. One could argue that throughStar Wars Jedi: Survivor’s lengthy and impacting narrative, the music helps bring back the unique feelings that the originalStar Warsfilms were known for. It’s because of this dedication to detail with this iconic, fan-favorite franchise that Respawn’s title is a stand-out game of 2023, and whyStar Wars Jedi: Survivormost certainly deserves a sequel.
The story of Cal Kestis continues in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor™, a third person galaxy-spanning action-adventure game from Respawn Entertainment, developed in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games. This narratively-driven, single player title picks up five years after the events of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order™ and follows Cal’s increasingly desperate fight as the galaxy descends further into darkness. Pushed to the edges of the galaxy by the Empire, Cal will find himself surrounded by threats new and familiar. As one of the last surviving Jedi Knights, Cal is driven to make a stand during the galaxy’s darkest times - but how far is he willing to go to protect himself, his crew, and the legacy of the Jedi Order?Explore an Untamed Galaxy – Discover new planets and familiar frontiers in the Star Wars galaxy, each with unique biomes, challenges, and enemies. Master new skills, equipment, and abilities that will augment the ways you explore, fight, and roam. With larger areas to explore and more to discover off the beaten path, players who adventure beyond the horizon will find hidden rewards.
El Paso Elsewhere
When a small motel in El Paso, Texas suddenly gains a bunch of extra underground stories, James Savage has to brave these reality-changing floors to find his girlfriend Draculae and save those she’s kidnapped.El Paso Elsewhereis a third-person “neo-noir” shooter that uses grunge with hip-hop to set its mood and tone. As many people would expect,El Paso Elsewhereis similar toMax Payneand other shooter titles in that it’s incredibly action-packed, which allows harsh EDM beats to blend in with digitized guitar twangs that give off a unique vibe.
The feel ofEl Paso Elsewhere’s music certainly helps the game’s storytelling, as with the shifting rooms and floors, as well as James' own drug issues warping his perceptions, the music hits the right unexpected notes. The raps, the samples they use, and the careful use of dubstep cues and wild west instruments pull players into the world of the game while also allowing the soundtrack to be as fast-paced and assertive in players' heads to help them achieve the goals needed to see this uniquenoir video gameto the end.El Paso Elsewherecertainly decided to go big or go home when it came to its score, and it shows.
Spider-Man 2
Just likeStar Wars Jedi: Survivor,Marvel’sSpider-Man 2does its bestto sound like players are taking part in an interactive superhero movie. This naturally means coming with its own dramatic and cinematic score, and the detail and care found in the backing tracks of the game’s most dramatic moments certainly sets it up as one of the best 2023 has to offer.
After whatSpider-Man: Miles Moralesset up back in 2020,Spider-Man 2is all about the teamwork between both Spider-Men. Miles and Peter are both given prominent musical cues that set up their time to shine, even ifMiles was given the short end of the stick. Battles are backed up with the same trumpets and horns that many superhero fans ought to be familiar with, which helps put players in the shoes of both Miles and Peter with ease. The score is crafted so carefully that key moments, such as one important boss fight with Miles, are made even better as the music is timed to the cutscenes. As a result,Spider-Man 2truly elevates what people expect from superhero narratives in video games, just as the other two titles did before it.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Spider-Men Peter Parker and Miles Morales face the ultimate test of strength inside and outside the mask as they fight to save the city, each other and the ones they love, from the monstrous Venom and the dangerous new symbiote threat.Explore an expansive Marvel’s New York with faster web-swinging and the all-new Web Wings, quickly switching between Peter and Miles to experience different stories, epic new abilities and high-tech gear.Wield Peter’s symbiote abilities and Miles’ explosive bio-electric powers in battle against new and iconic Marvel Super Villains – including an original take on a symbiote-infused Venom, the ruthless Kraven the Hunter, the volatile Lizard, and more from the Marvel Rogues’ Gallery.
Hogwarts Legacy
It seems that 2023 is a rather prolific year for paying tribute to the work of John Williams, asHogwarts Legacytakes many cues from the famous composer for its own soundtrack to help bring players back into the world ofHarry Potter. This, of course, means that likeSpider-Man 2, the game’s score has a cinematic feel to it, but it could be argued thatHogwarts Legacy’s music doesn’t aim to feel like an interactive movie and more like an adventure that belongs to the player as they explore Hogwarts frombefore Harry Potter’s time.
Hogwarts Legacyalso takes a different approach to Williams' music thanStar Wars Jedi: Survivordid, striving to set out its own identity rather than strictly emulate the musician’s work. This is certainly one of the more unique musical choices that helps set it apart, as Hogwarts Legacy is all about “living the unwritten.” Some important cues thatHarry Potterfans should know made it in the game, such as the many musical cuesrepresentative of Hogwarts, but in many ways,Hogwarts Legacyavoids relying on nostalgia too much in its score.
The resulting soundtrack from these choices from the composers ends up working out brilliantly, as the adventure certainly feels like it belongs inHarry Potter, but it doesn’t necessarily use Harry Potter himself to do so. Instead, it lets the world speak for itself, which is understandable consideringHogwarts Legacytakes place a century beforethe books and movies. It brings out the true magic and wonder that players have wanted to experience in the Harry Potter world for decades, and will likely be as remembered as the movies' own scores years in the future.
Hogwarts Legacy is an immersive, open-world action RPG set in the world first introduced in the Harry Potter books. For the first time, experience Hogwarts in the 1800s. Your character is a student who holds the key to an ancient secret that threatens to tear the wizarding world apart. Now you can take control of the action and be at the center of your own adventure in the wizarding world. Your legacy is what you make of it.Explore an Open WorldThe wizarding world awaits you. Freely roam Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, the Forbidden Forest, and the surrounding Overland area.Be the Witch or Wizard You Want to beLearn spells, brew potions, grow plants, and tend to magical beasts along your journey. Get sorted into your house, forge relationships, and master skills to become the witch or wizard you want to be Experience a New Wizarding World AdventureExperience the wizarding world in an unexplored era to uncover a hidden truth from its past. Battle against trolls, Dark Wizards, goblins, and more as you face a dangerous villain threatening the fate of the wizarding world.
Alan Wake 2
Writers are once again asked to think like a writer inAlan Wake 2, only this time it’s a matter of life or death. WithAlan Wake’s new dive into survival horror, naturally, key things in terms of direction would change. This is seen through how the game keeps most exploration segments quiet, but still uses key musical pieces to bring players deeper into the story and cutscenes. However, not only does it bring back the reflective vocal tracks atthe end of each chapter inAlan Wake 2, but it extends the musical elements of the game to unforeseen heights in ways that Remedy Entertainment has made into its staple for years.
As theAlan Wakeseries tells the story of a writer,Alan Wake 2uses metaphors, imagery, and other creative mediums to create symbolism. This shows in the game’s music with the vocal tracks that greet players at the end of each section fitting the struggles of specific characters, and even in amusical section that earnsAlan Wake 2a spot among the best musically-inclined games of 2023. The sound of Poets of the Fall as the Old Gods of Asgard ties the knots between both games in a tribute that’s great to hear and even more intriguing to play.
A string of ritualistic murders threatens Bright Falls, a small-town community surrounded by Pacific Northwest wilderness. Saga Anderson, an accomplished FBI agent with a reputation for solving impossible cases arrives to investigate the murders. Anderson’s case spirals into a nightmare when she discovers pages of a horror story that starts to come true around her.Alan Wake, a lost writer trapped in a nightmare beyond our world, writes a dark story in an attempt to shape the reality around him and escape his prison. With a dark horror hunting him, Wake is trying to retain his sanity and beat the devil at his own game.Anderson and Wake are two heroes on two desperate journeys in two separate realities, connected at heart in ways neither of them can understand: reflecting each other, echoing each other, and affecting the worlds around them.Fueled by the horror story, supernatural darkness invades Bright Falls, corrupting the locals and threatening the loved ones of both Anderson and Wake. Light is their weapon—and their safe haven — against the darkness they face. Trapped in a sinister horror story where there are only victims and monsters, can they break out to be the heroes they need to be?
Hi-Fi Rush
Serving as one of the biggest surprises of the year,Hi-Fi Rushis the perfect blend of rhythm, platforming, and combat mechanics. As its core mechanic is that everything hits the beat of the music playing on Chai’s chest, naturally there’s got to be great music in the game for players to rock out to. In this regard,Hi-Fi Rushgoes above and beyondto make the sound design incredible from start to finish.
The entire world inHi-Fi Rushadapts to the song currently playing, including background elements such as trees, monitors, and the way platforms appear or fall down. The songs that players time their hits and jumps to are also incredibly catchy and adventurous, and will likely get stuck in fans' heads long after the title’s been turned off.Hi-Fi Rusheven includes a Streamer Modethat removes the ten copyrighted songs and replaces them with versions that won’t hurt those who play the game on Twitch or other streaming platforms, both extending the soundtrack and remaining accessible for all kinds of players and viewers alike.
Feel the beat as wannabe rockstar Chai and his ragtag team of allies rebel against an evil robotics enhancement megacorp with raucous rhythm combat! From Tango Gameworks, the studio that brought you The Evil Within® and Ghostwire®: Tokyo (no, really) comes Hi-Fi RUSH, an all-new action game where the characters, world and combat stylishly sync to the music!CHAI VERSUS THE WORLD: Labeled ‘defective’ after a shady corporate experiment mistakenly fuses a music player to his heart, Chai must now fight for his freedom in a slick animated world where everything – platforming puzzles, enemy attacks and even the colorful gags & banter - are synced to the beat.OPEN UP THE MOSH PIT!: Take on armies of corporate drones (read: actual robots) in satisfying, rhythm-amplified combat. Time your moves to pull off flashy Beat Hits, hard-hitting special abilities and even combination attacks with your allies! Want to show off? Go further and tap into the beat to amp up your skills and earn those covetous S-rank scores.ROWDY REBELS VS. BADASS BOSSES: Lead a squad of colorful teammates and take the fight to the heart of an, er, heartless corporation. Square off with each department’s boss, from Production to Marketing to Finance, each more ready to protect the company’s bottom line than the last in over-the-top battle sequences accompanied by their own music tracks!GRAB YOUR HEADPHONES: Tap your toes to a killer mixtape of original music, as well as songs by Nine Inch Nails, The Prodigy, The Joy Formidable and more! Want to show off your skills to a live streaming audience? Fret not: Hi-Fi RUSH includes a streamer-friendly alternate audio mode which replaces those licensed songs with original tracks made especially for streaming Hi-Fi RUSH.
